Coetzee rings the changes

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has named a much-changed line-up for Saturday's encounter against the Reds in Cape Town.

Stormers coach Allister Coetzee has named a much-changed line-up for Saturday's encounter against the Reds in Cape Town.

The Stormers suffered a spate of injuries on their recently-completed four-match tour of Australasia, with five players from last week's line-up - against the Rebels - missing because of injury this weekend.

A sixth player, hooker Scarra Ntubeni, withdrew from last week's match at the 11th hour with a hamstring injury and is still not available for selection.

Fourie, Ntubeni and De Jongh should all be back on deck after the June Test break - along with lock De Kock Steenkamp, who left the tour early with a chest injury - but Bekker, Malherbe and Cilliers will be out for some time.

As a result of these injuries, Damian de Allende (inside centre), Don Armand (flank), Gerbrandt Grobler (lock), Brok Harris (tighthead prop) and Tiaan Liebenberg (hooker) all come into the starting XV this week.

In other changes, skipper Jean de Villiers will move from inside centre to outside centre, Siya Kolisi shifts across from number seven to number six and Eben Etzebeth will call the line-outs in the absence of Bekker in the number five shirt.

De Allende will make his first start since the Stormers' 22-15 win over the Sharks on April 13, Armand and Harris will make their first starts of 2013, Grobler will make his first-ever Super Rugby start and Liebenberg (having recovered from an elbow injury) is back in the mix for the first time since March 23 (against the Brumbies).

On the bench, meanwhile, prop Chris Heiberg and flanker Rohan Kitshoff - both WP Vodacom Cup stars - await their Super Rugby debuts, whilst lock Marius Coetzer - another new face in the selection frame this week - has played five Super Rugby games for the Lions but will be on debut for the Stormers.

"We've been hit really hard by injuries, but we're looking forward to (new) players bringing in new energy this weekend," said Coetzee.

"As a coach you make do with what you have and remain positive about the (next) fixture, but the reality is that we're currently sitting with 15 players that are unavailable.

"Having said that, I'm excited about the new players in our team - all of whom have a chance to lay down a marker and all of whom brought plenty of energy and enthusiasm to training this week."

Speaking about facing the Reds, the 2011 Super Rugby champions, Coetzee added: "The Reds are a challenging team.

"They beat us at Newlands last time (two years ago) and I expect the same (from them) from a tactical point of view.

"They're probably disappointed at losing (to the Cheetahs) last week and they'll probably be chasing a four-try bonus point.

"We're confident in our defence, however, and hopefully we can make our opportunities on attack count."